Become a Kenya Aid volunteer 1 | Page 20

ENTERTAINMENT + ADVENTURE Kenya is a magical country; one we are sure you will fall in love with. Within its borders you will find savannas rich with big game, timeless cultures unchanged by the modern world, pristine beaches and coral reefs, equatorial forests and mighty snow-capped mountains, searing deserts and cool highland retreats. In short, Kenya offers its visitors endless opportunities for adventure, discovery and relaxation. NAIROBI Your safari starts in Naibobi, Kenya’s capital city. Nairobi is an exciting and metropolitan city with lots of places to visit and explore and - if you’re short on time - can provide you with a complete array of wildlife and cultural experiences. There’s the David Sheldrick elephant centre where you can watch baby elephants play, the Giraffe Centre where you can hand feed the local giraffes, the Nairobi animal orphanage and Nairobi National Park where you can go on safari. And, of course, there’s Carnivore - a meat market of a restaurant where you can taste ostrich, crocodile, camel, beef, chicken and pork all roasted over coal and carved at your table. 20 KISUMU Nestled on the shores of Lake Victoria is Kisumu, Kenya’s second biggest city. Kisumu might be off the beaten track for many tourists but it has it’s own attractions and the added benefit of being close to our facilities in Shikunga. Here you can eat your fill of fresh tilapia caught on Lake Victoria and grilled in a waterfront shack, or take a day to explore Thimlich Ohinga; a complex architectural stone structure built in the 14th century that represents a rare example of the first settlements in the region. You can also pick up colourful local souveneirs at the Kisumu market or see the local fauna at the Impala Park. KAKAMEGA Chances are you’ll visit Kakamega at least once during your placement but while it doesn’t look like much at first glance, Kakamega has its own secret treasures. The best is undoubtedly Kakamega Forest; a tropical rain forest near the Ugandan border. It’s Kenya’s only tropical rainforest and is said to be Kenya’s last remnant of the ancient GuineoCongolian rainforest that once spanned the continent. Kakamega also has a thriving nightlife (which if you are going to explore, we suggest you do so cautiously) and the Golf Hotel is a great place to get a good meal and a shower if you’re feeling really under the weather.